Research

The Johnson Depression Center is widely recognized as the region’s premier resource for people and families seeking treatment for depression, bipolar and anxiety disorders.

To further advance our work, the Center’s research faculty collaborate with agencies and universities across the country to conduct a diverse portfolio of research that includes:

  • Evaluating the effectiveness of innovative approaches to care, such as improving the treatment of adolescent bipolar disorder and post-partum depression;
  • Developing new ways to diagnose mood disorders and identify people at risk of suicide
  • Developing projects that translate research findings into real-world community settings
  • Participating in the National Network of Depression Centers’ Mood Outcomes Program, a clinical and research initiative to better track a patient’s mood and anxiety levels over time to help determine which treatment strategies are most helpful in improving symptoms.

See below on participating in any of our current research studies.

The Child Bipolar Disorder Network (CBN): A Collaborative Treatment Study of Youth with or at High Risk for Bipolar

Does your child have symptoms of bipolar disorder?

 The Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is recruiting participants for a research study about youths with bipolar spectrum disorder. Through this study, we would like to find better ways to treat this condition.

We are looking for children, teens, and young adults (ages 9 to 19 years) who have moods that alternate between depression and periods of excessive energy and activity for this study.

Participants will get a full diagnostic evaluation from a psychologist/psychiatrist team, along with recommendations for medical and psychological treatment. Those accepted into the study will be seen by a study-affiliated psychiatrist that specializes in mood disorders for up to 12 months. Participants will be compensated for their time in completing research interviews and questionnaires.

For more information about this study, please call: Dr. Christopher Schneck at (303) 724-4984 or email ColoradoCBN@cuanschutz.edu. You may also contact us through the CU Anschutz Research Studies website.

Research Study on Cognition, Emotions and Resilience

 

Would you like to participate in a study about cognition, emotions and resilience? Are you a teen ages 15–19?

At the CU Research on Affective Disorders and Development (RADD) Laboratory, in partnership with the Johnson Depression Center, we are interested in understanding how certain cognitive abilities, such as being able to pay attention or learn actions that help you achieve goals, may help teenagers to cope with stress and stay healthy.

The Study

This is a two-year study. Over the course of the study, participants will have two study visits at our laboratory in Boulder, each lasting about five hours. During these visits, you will be interviewed about your life experiences; you will complete some computer games that involve paying attention and learning; you will have a neuroimaging scan while you either rest quietly or play computer games; and you will answer a set of surveys on a computer.

Also as part of the study, you will complete a set of online surveys and a brief telephone interview once every six months (five times total during the two-year study participation). At the end of the study, you will have a final telephone interview, lasting about two hours.

Compensation

You can earn up to $750 for your time and effort completing the study.

How to Sign Up

To learn more, you or your parent/legal guardian (if you are age 17 or younger) can visit our website at www.raddlab.com, contact our lab directly at (303) 735-8306 or email us at raddlab@colorado.edu.